Month: February 2017
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After a relatively domestic winter break, I am happy to return to UD and begin the new semester. Although I love hanging out with my family and binge watching new TV shows, I prefer to get back into a routine. However, with five major courses on my schedule this spring and an order of 25 textbooks, this semester seemed more daunting than others. The night before the first day of classes my eyes were locked on the clock for lifetimes, watching the minutes tick up, recycle, and then start again. Suddenly, the 1 I had been staring at morphed into a 7 and the dreaded iPhone alarm signaled my necessary departure from my sheets. Nothing is ever as bad you think it will be. Nothing is ever as bad as you think it will be.

Only two miles from the front door of Redding Hall, the Newark Reservoir sits above the rest of the city as a world apart. Every time I have made my way up there, I have felt like I was part of a secret club. I have yet to encounter anyone I know around the waterside path, yet I feel a bond to the others not only familiar with the existence of this man-made wonder, but also willing to make the trek up to its surface. Whether it’s walking, biking, running, roller blading, skate boarding, or some combination of these, the reservoir is home to all who need it. Similar to the Hogwarts’ Room of Requirement, the Newark Reservoir gave me just what I needed during finals week last semester. Continue reading

Imagine having something in your life that makes you feel larger and more powerful than yourself. It scientifically boosts happiness, confidence, and discipline. It allows students to form everlasting friendships and memories. While it increases standardized test scores, it is also a fun way to meet new people, feel unstoppable, and have a good time.

R.I.P. to the many (many) New Year’s resolutions that I’ve abandoned mid-January, left to rot in a wasteland of dumbbells and green smoothies and motivational quotes.

However, a surprising turn of events: in 2016, I did something right. Shock of all shocks, I successfully finished the year out strong, completing my selected activity every single day.

What was my resolution? Journaling. I’m not really sure how I got hooked on the idea, but somewhere along the line I decided to give it a go. It always seemed like one of those things that people who really have their lives together do, like those people who have five-year plans and wear matching pajama sets and take their coffee with almond milk.

I’m sure all those who didn’t study abroad, take classes on campus, or work some exciting job felt the same way. In my case, I ended up staying on campus. Unlike most people here, I didn’t take any classes– I was only here to help a professor with research. A few times a week I would go into the lab for an hour or two and help out, but besides that, I had no obligations. This left me with an incredible amount of free time to explore activities I had never had time for before. Continue reading